Prince Alexander John of Wales

Prince Alexander John of Wales (Alexander John Charles Albert; 6 April 1871 – 7 April 1871) was the youngest child of Albert Edward, Prince of Wales (later Edward VII) and Alexandra of Denmark. He was born prematurely at Sandringham House in Norfolk and died less than 24 hours after birth; he was buried at St Mary Magdalene Church, Sandringham. News of the royal birth and the prince's short life attracted media coverage around the world.

Pregnancy Princess Alexandra suffered greatly throughout her pregnancy; she was often exhausted and experienced "irregular bleeding".

Birth Alexander John was born six weeks prematurely at 2:45 pm on 6 April 1871, the youngest child of Albert Edward, Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII), and his wife, Alexandra of Denmark, at Sandringham House in Sandringham, Norfolk. Early that morning Alexandra awoke with pains, and at 6:40 am it was realised she was going into labour. no clothes were ready,

The baby was born easily but exceedingly small and feeble; his father deemed him "very ugly" but was told this was because he was born facing downward and would have no lasting effect. He was christened Alexander John Charles Albert.

As part of the celebratory announcement of his birth, guns were fired at Hyde Park and the Tower of London, and notices were placed in newspapers around the country. On 7 April, Victoria wrote that she had received messages from Albert Edward explaining that "the baby was exceedingly feeble and there was little hope of its surviving." and he died at roughly 2 pm on 7 April, less than 24 hours after birth. Queen Victoria wrote: Our poor little child had been taken from us. lay with the child, crying and holding his hand until 8 pm. He was dressed in burial attire before being placed in a mahogany coffin with silver ornaments, lined with white satin and decorated with white flowers, camellias and banksia roses. The location was chosen so it could be seen from the windows of Sandringham House. White wreaths were laid by the Prince of Wales, Albert Victor, and George before the coffin was lowered, with primroses and anemones thrown onto it.

Queen Victoria offered to visit the family, but the Prince of Wales declined so that Alexandra could rest. "Dear little Johnnie had been brought last night and we laid him to rest in the churchyard next to brother John." Queen Mary wrote that "now our two darling Johnnies lie side by side."

Titles During the prince's short life, his royal title was: His Royal Highness Prince Alexander John of Wales

Ancestry